Now that the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections are done and dusted, hard work awaits those who made the grade. The ultimate aim of the election was not just to have bodies in place, but more about having representatives of the people who will advance their interests.
The election provided a level playing field for the political parties, associations and candidates involved. For neutral observers, the tense competition will likely lead to strengthened accountability systems. Our hope is that political parties and associations that made the grade will do everything possible to co-exist and bring the much-needed development and provision of services to the citizenry.
For far too long, local authorities and regional councils have become a hotbed of infighting. This is not sustainable. At the end of the day, it is the local government’s service delivery programmes that suffer due to escalating factional fighting among those entrusted with the responsibility of championing bread and butter issues.
Development should be allowed to continue unhindered at the regional and local authorities. The new councillors should be at the forefront of supporting government initiatives, including accelerating urban land delivery, fixing issues of governance and ensuring that basic services such as water and electricity are timeously delivered to residents.
It is true, many other factors and obstacles may impede the successful implementation of basic services. However, the new councillors can ill afford to allow egos to rule the roost, whilst compromising service delivery due to the electorate.
Our leaders should be able to work together and display political maturity and mutual cooperation in the best interest of society. Namibians will always treasure such milestone realisations, despite untold unintended consequences.
Similarly, it would be administratively suicidal to suggest that Namibia doesn’t have in place some well-designed and comparable policy frameworks and governance directions. Theoretically, Namibia could be counted among the few nations in Africa that have well-crafted policy directives. Mauritius, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda and a few others may come to mind in this regard.
However, good policy frameworks do not necessarily imply beneficial and inclusive service delivery to all. Moreover, comparable governance directions do not mean good governance.
Therefore, the instruments set up may not mechanically translate into social justice and prosperity for all, unless they are aligned with genuine participative politics, good governance and leadership.
Demandingly, it is the obligation of the three organs of state and their agencies to live up to promises made before and after independence in 1990.
For that reason, pre-election political party campaigns should remind those in power to take stock of what they think political and governance practices have achieved as opposed to realities on the ground.
Election practices should not only signify the historic journey to freedom and independence, but also reassess the extent to which hope, dreams, promises and political declarations have also been realised.
In addition, political party infighting and power struggles hinder governance efforts, resulting in a skewed system unable to address people’s well-being. The rushed transformation left little time to close all loopholes.”
As a result, the marginalised and disadvantaged continue to bear the burden of past injustices in socio-economic areas. What society experiences today is the consequence of our own actions, such as poor leadership, party politics and bad governance.
Democracy is an evolving process that demands vigilance and accountability from all stakeholders. As stakeholders in democracy, our role is to hold our institutions accountable through mindful dialogue, working collectively, and the rule of law.
Strive to do better as leaders. Aim to govern with dignity, pride and dedication to the call of duty. You owe it to the Namibian nation that entrusted you with the mantle of leadership.